existence

noun

ex·​is·​tence ig-ˈzi-stən(t)s 

1

a

: the state or fact of having being especially independently of human consciousness and as contrasted with nonexistence

the existence of other worlds

b

: the manner of being that is common to every mode of being

c

: being with respect to a limiting condition or under a particular aspect

2

: actual or present occurrence

existence of a state of war

3

a(1)

: the totality of existent things

(2)

: a particular being

all the fair existences of heaven

—John Keats

b

: sentient or living being : life

c

: reality as presented in experience

d

obsolete : reality as opposed to appearance

Synonyms

• actuality
• corporality
• corporeality
• reality
• subsistence
• thingness

Examples of existence in a Sentence

She began to doubt the existence of God.

the existence of UFO's is something that people continue to argue about

Recent Examples on the Web

His daily existence has shrunk dramatically from designing buildings as an architect to occupying a 60-square-foot cell equipped with only the bare essentials: a bunk, toilet, sink, and plastic mirror. —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2025

The court’s sweeping preliminary injunction requires the Trump administration to maintain the existence of the CFPB and reinstate fired probationary employees as well as other critical staff, including Barnard, the Student Loan Ombudsman. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Date and Price After numerous leaks, Nintendo confirmed the existence of the Switch 2 in January. —Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025

There are now more than 2.7 million active podcasts in existence, according to Podcast Industry Insights. —Essence, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French existence, existance, borrowed from Late Latin existentia, exsistentia, noun derivative of existent-, existens/exsistent-, exsistens "having being, existent"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3d

Phrases Containing existence

• come into existence
• go out of existence
• struggle for existence

Rhymes for existence

• assistance
• consistence
• desistance
• insistence
• persistence
• resistance
• subsistence
• coexistence
• nonexistence
• distance
• magnetoresistance

Kids Definition

existence

noun

ex·​ist·​ence

ig-ˈzis-tən(t)s

1

: the fact or the state of having being or of being real

the largest animal in existence

2

: the state of being alive : life

owed my existence to a doctor's skill